More financial woes for W-Tornadoes; team uniforms seized

Worcester Tornadoes (independent; Can-Am League) uniforms were seized and replaced by league-supplied Grays traveling unis, as a local vendor attempts to collect on a $32,562 debt.

The local Hilton Garden Inn filed suit against the team and owner Todd Breighner over nonpayment, saying that attempts to settle the debt ended with bounced checks and broken promises. A local judge allowed hotel to proceed with a plan to seize assets held by the team, including uniforms, bank accounts and any monies controlled by the league on behalf of the team. It was a surprise move; Breighner was not notified of the impending action because of the probability he would transfer assets.

The Hilton Garden lawsuit alleges that during the time period when the hotel rooms were rented, a payment plan was offered and the worthless checks were written, Mr. Breighner and Streamlined Sports “had extensive personal and corporate debt and the business of the Worcester Tornadoes was insolvent.”

The debt included nearly $60,000 to the city of Worcester for police and fire details, $50,000 to the College of the Holy Cross for utilities, maintenance and use of Hanover Insurance Park, and $5,000 to Worcester Polytechnic Institute for dormitory rooms for players, according to the lawsuit.

During the same timeframe, Streamlined Sports had outstanding state and federal tax liens, including a federal lien in the amount of $50,028, according to the lawsuit, which seeks monetary damages in an amount to be determined by the court.

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